Olympian Allyson Felix, the most decorated women’s track & field Olympian in history, has announced the launch of Saysh, an athletic lifestyle brand. The brand makes its debut with The Saysh One, a lightweight mesh sneaker offered in three colors. As part of the effort Saysh has also started the Saysh Collective, a community platform.
During competition in the Tokyo Olympics, Saysh will also wear a custom pair of Saysh spikes, the first time an athlete will run in her own shoe. Her participation in the Tokyo Olympics will mark Saysh’s fifth consecutive time participating in the event and her first since time since becoming a mother in 2018.
The Los Angeles-born Felix was inspired to launch Saysh after a falling out with sport giant Nike, which had sponsored her up until her pregnancy. Following the birth of her child at 32 weeks through an emergency C-section, Felix entered into negotiations to renew her contract and was offered a 70-percent lower rate of compensation.
Felix declined to resign with the brand and went public with her story in 2019, sparking Nike to announced a new maternity policy guaranteeing an athlete’s pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy.
The brand’s debut campaign, titled “I Know My Place,” is an ironic reference to Nike’s decision to devalue Felix following the birth of her child even as the brand would go on to celebrate the inherent athleticism of pregnancy with a 2020 clothing line and campaign.
“Like so many of us, I was told to know my place, that runners have to run,” said Felix. “All of my experiences of becoming a mom and of raising a daughter helped show me my true competitor: inequality. The launch of Saysh is another step towards greater equity for each of us, and when you see me run, know that I’m running towards family, towards motherhood.”
Priced at $150 and sized from 5.5-11,, Saysh’s debut The Saysha One is now available for pre-order on saysh.com.
